Contra: Hard Corps Classic
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Shoot 'em Up
Contra: The Hard Corps
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1994 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Contra |
| ESRB | T |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Contra: The Hard Corps is a shoot 'em up released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by Konami.
It landed about 5 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1994 include Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mortal Kombat II and FIFA International Soccer.
It is part of the Contra series; on the Genesis you can also try Contra: Hard Corps and Probotector. The series also appears on other systems with Contra III: The Alien Wars (SNES) and Contra Force (NES). Konami also made Sunset Riders, Castlevania: Bloodlines and International Superstar Soccer Deluxe for the Genesis.
Contra: The Hard Corps supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Contra: The Hard Corps is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
If you like Contra: The Hard Corps, the Matrix also picks…
Contra Force Classic
Sunset Riders Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
Zombies Ate My Neighbors Classic Co-op
Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Contra: The Hard Corps FAQ
When did Contra: The Hard Corps come out on the Genesis?
Contra: The Hard Corps was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1994.
Who made Contra: The Hard Corps?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Contra: The Hard Corps multiplayer?
Yes. Contra: The Hard Corps supports up to 2 players.
How long does Contra: The Hard Corps take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Contra: The Hard Corps typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.